Creenkill Lough

The water here sits still most days, a proper mirror for the sky when the wind drops. Creenkill Lough is one of those lakes that doesn't shout about itself - you won't find crowds or visitor facilities, just a quiet stretch of water near Newry that's decent if you're walking or cycling through the area. The surrounding landscape is gentle rather than dramatic, with pastoral fields running down to the shoreline. It's the sort of place to pause during a longer route, have a sit and think about nothing much at all.

Walkers will find it worth a detour if you're exploring the footpaths around Newry and Down, though it's not a destination in itself. The lough doesn't have formal amenities or marked walking trails, so go in with realistic expectations. You're looking at twenty minutes to half an hour pottering about if you're curious, longer if you fancy a circumambulate. Best visited in decent weather when you can actually see across it.

Staying at Hilltop Hideaway - that secluded pod with the hot tub just four miles away - gives you a proper base for exploring quieter spots like this without the fuss of a larger park. It's the kind of thing that works well as a morning wander before settling in for the afternoon. Free to visit, naturally. The water itself is less for swimming and more for observing, so come prepared to sit and watch rather than expecting facilities.